Bulitavu remains a member of parliament – Ratu Epeli

The Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says he is unable to determine how SODELPA MP, Mosese Bulitavu voted on the 2021/2022 National Budget and Bill No. 17 and his seat as a member of parliament cannot be deemed vacant and Bulitavu remains a member of parliament.

Ratu Epeli told parliament this morning that he decided on March 26th, 2020 that all voting will be done by acclamation which was reaffirmed by the Business Committee.

Ratu Epeli further says from the respective letters sent to his office by SODELPA and Bulitavu, there appears to be an internal dispute as to whether directions issued by SODELPA were valid.

He adds given that he is not satisfied that the contents of SODELPA’s letter is accurate, the letter is treated as not having been received by his office.

However, Ratu Epeli says if SODELPA believes that Bulitavu did not follow a directive by voting or acting contrary to the directions, then SODELPA is at liberty to itself file proceedings against Bulitavu in the Court of Disputed Returns, for the court to decide whether Bulitavu’s seat in parliament is vacant.

SODELPA had earlier told Legend FM News that it had delivered a letter to Ratu Epeli, evoking Section 63 (1)(h) and Section 63 (3) of the 2013 Constitution, advising the Speaker that SODELPA MP, Mosese Bulitavu’s seat in Parliament be deemed vacant.

The party had said this is consequential to Bulitavu’s blatant disregard for a party directive to its Members of Parliament in relation to the party stand on Bill 17 and the 2021/2022 National Budget.

Bulitavu had supported the 2021/2022 National Budget and the Bill to Amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act in parliament earlier this month.